Agassi book - by someone who's read it (shocker..)

Here's the first long piece I've seen by someone who's actually read Agassi's book - and note how misleading the extract snippets have been. For instance, what he actually says apparently is that he wanted to be more like Pete - very appreciative.

“I get an undeniable satisfaction from harming myself…After decades of merely dabbling in masochism, I’m making it my mission.” Wow....this quote is just..I dont really know what to say.
Sad.....
Also a pity he could never og to school..Must be hell living in that family.

Here's the first long piece I've seen by someone who's actually read Agassi's book - and note how misleading the extract snippets have been. For instance, what he actually says apparently is that he wanted to be more like Pete - very appreciative.

You got that from this article? I missed it, I guess. But I found this particular snippet to be pretty funny:

"When he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Pete Sampras offered a provocative, minimalist self-assessment saying, 'I’m just a tennis player. Nothing more, nothing less.' Agassi said he envied 'Pete’s dullness. I wish I could emulate his spectacular lack of inspiration.'"

That's not saying Agassi had no respect for Pete...just that he had no way of understanding Sampras' expressions.

In any case, thanks much for the link, as it was genuinely interesting!

The main difference between Pete and Andre may have been that Andre was desperate for attention while Pete was somewhat desperate for respect. Pete was happy to be out of the spotlight off court, he let his racquet do the talking. Considering what was going on at home, I can kind of understand why Andre sought out positive reinforcement in his public life.

I'm listening to the audio version right now and I can't wait to hear the rest of it. I've also read Sampras' autbiography and just like on the court they couldn't be more different. Pete's book concentrated on the overall experience and his aim at becoming the best player in the world. He spoke of his supportive family and the people he surrounded himself with at different times in his career all with the singular goal of becoming the best in the world.

I'm not even into the third chapter of Andre's book and it describes things in minute almost excrutiating detail. He talks at length about experiences and about how "alone" he feels at all times because of tennis. Pete talks about emotions in storybook fashion with the perspective of having lived through the experience. Andre describes circumstances in the present tense as if they are being relived all over again.

Where Pete's book is factual, straightforward and uncomplicated. Andre's is emotionally charged, detail-oriented and incredibly complex. I'm really interested to finish it and regardless of its revelations I think it will be a good read for completely different reasons than Pete's book.

That's not saying Agassi had no respect for Pete...just that he had no way of understanding Sampras' expressions.

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In exactly the same way as Serena can't understand Kim Cjlisters quitting the game to have a baby - and put its interests ahead of her own-, Chris Evert couldn't under Martina Navratilova being honest about who she really was or BJK couldn't understand Margaret Court's unwillingness to deify herself. Those people just aren't conditioned to understand how someone can place normalcy (at least, as normal as someone famous can be) above public adoration, attention and/or notoriety.

If Andre truly hated the game of tennis, why did he climb the mountain again after the bottom fell out? Was it for the attention? Was it for the money? Did his Dad force a 30 something year old man to play? What about all the speeches and interviews about the fans?

If you hated your job and you were financially secure would you subject yourself to the torture? Something ain't right.

If Andre truly hated the game of tennis, why did he climb the mountain again after the bottom fell out? Was it for the attention? Was it for the money? Did his Dad force a 30 something year old man to play? What about all the speeches and interviews about the fans?

If you hated your job and you were financially secure would you subject yourself to the torture? Something ain't right.

Hey everyone, just my two cents: This book is an amazing read, and is primarily about relationships. If you want to get to know Agassi and have an inside look at the most important relationships that he formed over the years with fellow players, coaches, Gil (his trainer/surrogate father), and his love interests, this book is well worth a read.

I loved this from beginning to end. I wished it were twice as long - just didn't want to get to the last page, it was that delicious. Made me well up with tears on numerous occasions. Inspiring in every way.

This one will definitely stay in my library and be read many times over.

By the way, did anyone else get how much he seems to loathe Chang? And in the end, you discover how he really feels about Pete.

If one more person calls Pete one dimensional I'll go postal. Both have the same number of dimensions to their character. One simply shows the full variety to larger groups of people and under broader sets of circumstance. . Pete is not dull. He is reserved to those few he trusts . Andre is not exciting. he is flamboyant. Niether is deeper than the other.

If Andre truly hated the game of tennis, why did he climb the mountain again after the bottom fell out? Was it for the attention? Was it for the money? Did his Dad force a 30 something year old man to play? What about all the speeches and interviews about the fans?

If you hated your job and you were financially secure would you subject yourself to the torture? Something ain't right.

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Basically, when he hit rock bottom in '97, Brad told him to quit or start over...from scratch. From what I gathered, Andre wanted, more than anything, to get his foundation and school running, and he used tennis as a means to achieve that. He mentions alot that he didn't choose a life as a tennis player, but in the end, he used tennis to achieve the life he did choose, getting his foundation/school up and running and helping out the kiddos who he felt like were also in a life they didn't choose and weren't in a position to do anything about it.

Hey everyone, just my two cents: This book is an amazing read, and is primarily about relationships. If you want to get to know Agassi and have an inside look at the most important relationships that he formed over the years with fellow players, coaches, Gil (his trainer/surrogate father), and his love interests, this book is well worth a read.

I loved this from beginning to end. I wished it were twice as long - just didn't want to get to the last page, it was that delicious. Made me well up with tears on numerous occasions. Inspiring in every way.

This one will definitely stay in my library and be read many times over.

By the way, did anyone else get how much he seems to loathe Chang? And in the end, you discover how he really feels about Pete.

Beautifully written.

Ben

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I pre-ordered it and read it too. I thought it was interesting to hear his words reserved for Becker, when he focusssed on revenge (for some media slang that Becker through at him) and went on a tournament killing streak in the process. He described how he used revenge as a motivator. He also articulates (well) alot of his match preparation as well as highs/lows he experienced on court during big matches.

So — Tiger Woods is human after all. That is the world’s reaction after the affair of Tiger, Tiger, burning bright, into the hydrants of the night.

A strange mixture of glee and disappointment hangs around every report as the ultimate squeaky-clean, role-model robot slips up and reveals his humanity.

How could it be, that this glorious being should have some kind of kerfuffle with his equally perfect wife, and then drive his equally perfect car into a hydrant and a tree?

Me, I was never in doubt. I knew he was a human being. I could tell that he wasn’t from another planet. I knew he didn’t possess super-powers. He just has huge talent; and with it, a huge talent for using that talent.

But for a dozen years Woods has presented himself to the world, and been represented by just about everyone he has come into contact with, as someone from another order of being. He and those around him have conspired to hide his humanity.

Why should anyone do such a thing? Because there’s money in it, obviously.

There’s more money to be gained from playing the role-model game than there is in being what he is, a majestically talented person who nonetheless has flaws like the rest of us. If you can pretend to be some kind of god, people will buy into it.

There exists this ludicrous notion that all professional athletes must be role models, because children try to become just like them. Rock stars, equally admired by the young, have no such pseudo-responsibilities — because there’s no money in it. It only works for sports stars.

So Woods is a role model. I wonder how much I would like anybody — let alone my children — to take on the real implications of being like Tiger. Hide your real nature, my son. Dissemble. Go for a great big vacant smile. When you speak in public, say much but say nothing. Calculate. Compute. Express no views on religion or politics. Never forget that Republicans also buy sneakers, as Michael Jordan taught us. Remember that platitudes are your friends.